Indonesia football riot: At least 174 dead in horrifying scenes

There were distressing scenes in Java, Indonesia on Saturday as hundreds of fans were killed attending a football game.

According to multiple local media outlets, relayed per The Mirror, an estimated 174 fans have died so far, and the figure continues to rise.

The disaster took place after mass riots broke out once the game between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya had been completed.

Persebaya won the encounter – an East Java derby – 3-2 which led to thousands of Arema FC fans storming the field of play from the stands.

Multiple members of the local police attending the game, as well as some of the Indonesian armed forces responded by attempting to enforce security, removing Persebaya players from the pitch to ensure their safety.

However, local media outlets report that fights broke out on the pitch between fans and security, leading the authorities to use tear gas both on the pitch and in the stands.

This is said to have directly resulted in mass panic amongst fans in the stands, with many attempting to escape the tear gas but falling to the floor and getting trampled in the crush.

Further reports relayed by The Mirror also state that many fans lost consciousness because of the gas and suffered a shortness of breath, leaving the Arema players that were still on the field of play to help carry unconscious fans to safety.

Of the 174 people believed to have died so far, two were police officers.

Pelo menos 127 pessoas morreram em um confronto entre torcedores com forças de segurança após Arema 2-3 Persebaya, hoje, na Indonésia